InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to open its first IHG Academy programme in Italy in partnership with European University for Tourism in Rome (UET) Italy.

The IHG Academy is a global network of educational organisations allied with local IHG-branded hotels to provide hospitality skills and improved employability.

Students on the IHG Academy in Italy will undertake four months of lessons at UET Italy, followed by a six-month internship at InterContinental De La Ville Rome, where they will receive hospitality training supported by the team of managers and department heads. Successful students will graduate at the end of 10 months with a Masters in Hotel Management.

InterContinental De La Ville Rome general manager Ciro Verrocchi said: "The IHG Academy will deliver international-standard hospitality training, provide practical first-hand work experience opportunities for students and create a hospitality talent pipeline in Italy.

"Students on the programme will learn first-hand what lies at the centre of great hotels guests love and the skills that are needed to deliver the high levels of service we provide for all of our guests."

Through training and mentoring, the IHG Academy has assisted more than 10,000 people worldwide in the hospitality field.